I spent about a month trying to get a video of John Berryman from the BBC that they had and would not (might have been able to do a bit more had I been in Britain and not Berkeley). I have watched the other two Berryman videos on here about a thousand times. Thank you so much, you have made my month.
First poem is ' the Song of the Tortured Girl ' Libretto: After a little I could not have told - But no one asked me this - why I was there. I asked. The ceiling of that place was high. And there were sudden noises, which I made. I must have stayed there a long time today: My cup of soup was gone when they brought me back. - Often ‘Nothing worse can now come to us’ I thought, the winter the young men stayed away, My uncle died and mother broke her crutch. And then the strange room where the brightest light Does not shine on the strange men: shines on me. I feel them stretch my youth and throw a switch. - Through leafless branches the sweet wind blows Making a mild sound, softer than a moan; High in a pass once where we put our tent, Minutes I lay awake to hear my joy. - I no longer remember what they want. - Minutes I lay awake to hear my joy.
I was lucky to find it, even luckier to obtain it, and wild horses could not keep me from sharing it. I join you in admiration & astonishment at dear John.
This poem alone establishes Berryman as a vital force of poetry. Leith's recent article in 'The Guardian' should be read. There's a wonderful interview of JB at the Brockport Writers' Forum, and there's a play called 'Alcman Ape' (1980's) that must be the first to feature JB as a central Muse. M.
Of course I forgot to add, this is a snatch from the Brockport interview. I've an entire recording on cassette but I'm too much the tech twit to know how to share it. M
I think this may be the only deep footage available of John Berryman. It should not be understated the cultural significance of these videos. Listen, he's piss drunk smoking like a chimney and not breathing in and out enough so his O levels are depleted and when he turns to the right he begins coughing. The flem in his lungs must have dropped suddenly and he began coughing to lift the flem off the bottom of his lungs. He's doomed by his own mind. But here it is: John Berryman.
I spent about a month trying to get a video of John Berryman from the BBC that they had and would not (might have been able to do a bit more had I been in Britain and not Berkeley). I have watched the other two Berryman videos on here about a thousand times. Thank you so much, you have made my month.
Thank you for posting
First poem is ' the Song of the Tortured Girl '
Libretto:
After a little I could not have told -
But no one asked me this - why I was there.
I asked. The ceiling of that place was high.
And there were sudden noises, which I made.
I must have stayed there a long time today:
My cup of soup was gone when they brought me back.
-
Often ‘Nothing worse can now come to us’
I thought, the winter the young men stayed away,
My uncle died and mother broke her crutch.
And then the strange room where the brightest light
Does not shine on the strange men: shines on me.
I feel them stretch my youth and throw a switch.
-
Through leafless branches the sweet wind blows
Making a mild sound, softer than a moan;
High in a pass once where we put our tent,
Minutes I lay awake to hear my joy.
- I no longer remember what they want. -
Minutes I lay awake to hear my joy.
Thank you very much for posting this. It is truly appreciated.
I was lucky to find it, even luckier to obtain it, and wild horses could not keep me from sharing it. I join you in admiration & astonishment at dear John.
Berryman appears to be totally obliterated here. It's a tragedy what alcohol did to this extraordinary poet and mind.
He’s not understandable. And shouldn’t have been allowed to be on an interview intoxicated !
Alcohol done nothing to him. Even at his lowest drunkenness of moments he made plenty of sense and perhaps it even helped him in a way.
Thank you, added to a playlist...
This poem alone establishes Berryman as a vital force of poetry. Leith's recent article in 'The Guardian' should be read. There's a wonderful interview of JB at the Brockport Writers' Forum, and there's a play called 'Alcman Ape' (1980's) that must be the first to feature JB as a central Muse. M.
the only tragedy is unawareness! long live Berryman, and Joyce!
well done. this is a piece of real history.
Wow!
Who are you I don't no but your video give a new experience a like you
Of course I forgot to add, this is a snatch from the Brockport interview. I've an entire recording on cassette but I'm too much the tech twit to know how to share it. M
Michael B Please, share, PLEASE please share it, i'm in love with this man
fantastic.
Thanks but i'd KILL for better audio quality. Not uploaders fault - i get that, but . . .jeez.
RIP John...
@leadbelly39 Truly.
True. But enjoy it anyway.
I think this may be the only deep footage available of John Berryman. It should not be understated the cultural significance of these videos. Listen, he's piss drunk smoking like a chimney and not breathing in and out enough so his O levels are depleted and when he turns to the right he begins coughing. The flem in his lungs must have dropped suddenly and he began coughing to lift the flem off the bottom of his lungs. He's doomed by his own mind. But here it is: John Berryman.